The Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars showcased their offensive prowess with a decisive 100-53 victory over the University of California, Riverside, on December 2, 2023. This game marked BYU’s return to the Marriott Center after a 32-day stretch filled with travel and competition, which included six challenging matches against ranked opponents.
During this month-long period, the Cougars traveled extensively, including three flights to the east coast and two bus trips to Salt Lake City. They participated in high-stakes contests, winning five out of six, and clinched a Thanksgiving tournament championship in Florida. Notable moments included a narrow loss to the University of Connecticut in Boston and a convincing win against the University of Wisconsin at the Delta Center. The Cougars also pulled off a stunning buzzer-beater victory over Clemson at Madison Square Garden.
Returning to Provo, the team demonstrated significant improvement, evident in their best offensive performance of the season. BYU scored 49 points in the first half and added 51 more after the break, achieving an impressive average of 1.389 points per possession. Head coach Kevin Young expressed his concerns about potential fatigue following their east coast trip but praised his players for their strong response.
“We felt like we were there forever, honestly,” Young said. “It took us an hour and 40 minutes to get to the airport, and then we had a five-hour flight. I was honestly a little worried about a letdown getting back home, but that was clearly not the case.”
BYU’s offense was fueled by a balanced scoring attack, with AJ Dybantsa leading the way. The standout player scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting, alongside eight rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. His ability to perform under pressure was evident, as 16 of his points came in the second half. Young commended Dybantsa’s performance, stating, “It was ridiculous what he just did out there. He’s a special player.”
The Cougars displayed remarkable efficiency, shooting 59.1% from the field and 47.4% from behind the arc. They also excelled in transition, scoring 29 fast-break points, a testament to their defensive stops and effective passing, which resulted in 22 assists. Young emphasized the importance of playing with pace and movement, which contributed to their offensive success.
In addition to Dybantsa, Richie Saunders contributed significantly with 19 points, while Rob Wright III added nine points and six assists. The bench also made a notable impact, with Aleksej Kostić scoring 15 points, including five three-pointers. Kostić’s performance drew admiration from fans, particularly when he made three consecutive shots in the first half.
Kostić’s emergence as a reliable scoring option is particularly timely, given the recent season-ending injury to sixth man Dawson Baker. The Austrian newcomer expressed his readiness to step up, stating, “I always try to stay ready, and when I come in the game, I try to shoot. I wouldn’t say it was something different that I did today. I just shot the ball, and today I made a lot.”
The Cougars now hold a record of 9-1 for the season and are undefeated at home with a 3-0 mark. They will return to the Marriott Center on December 5 to face former West Coast Conference rival Pacific. As they prepare to enter Big 12 play in January, this victory serves as a strong confidence booster for the team. The energy and cohesion displayed against UC Riverside indicate a promising trajectory for BYU as the season progresses.
